The Dark Knight Rises: A Review (with SPOILERS)

The Dark Knight Rises: A Review (with SPOILERS)

More of a rant then a review but a review nonetheless. Features major SPOILERS though so don't read unless you've seen the film.

Review Opinion
By Boekelaar - Jul 19, 2012 07:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman
Source: Benjamin Boekelaar

Hey peeps,

So I just saw The Dark Knight Rises, could have gone to the midnight screenings but I'm a working man and didn't feel like being tired for work.

So I waited...and just to say it now: I don't regret that I waited.

Now to business.

Is the film good? Yes, it's excellent. Once again Nolan has demonstrated his ability to create a fantastic film. It was shot wonderfully, acted greatly and the script was really solid. But this is not a faultless film.

There are moments where there are evident mistakes but somehow they've survived the scrutiny of Nolan and Co. I don't want to go into to much detail because I know some people can't resist reading these reviews early even with the warnings. One vague example is that Bane hits someone and it is the most obvious miss in the world (well at least I thought so). And my biggest complaint about these little errors is that, being a massive fan of cinema, I look very intently at what I'm watching and when this occurs it takes me out of the film.

In terms of the length of the film I agree with some other reviews that I've seen. The film is paced badly and Nolan needed to trim the fat. When you see a cut of a film like this it makes the film look self indulgent on Nolans behalf. As we all know Whedon's initial cut of The Avengers was over an hour longer but for the good of the film he cut it down. Nolan didn't do this, but I do love his work so I enjoyed it but I don't think he has earn't enough respect to be able to release such a cut of a film. You might all argue that his films are some of the best pieces of cinema ever. But if you're making a film for an audience you need to deliver the best film possible even if it means cutting scenes you like. Kevin Smith is a good example of a director who cuts the hell out of his movies and he makes low budget and independent films. Nolan is/was the head of a franchise and he needed to make the movie more about his audience and less about himself. When he's at the end of his career and wants to make a film of his own creation and wants it to represent his artistic values then by all means go for it. Even Sergio Leone waited 'til the end of his career for his personal film.

But my issues with the film aren't really that big I'm just going into detail. I like long films I'm known for seeking out and buying directors cuts on DVD and Blu-Ray. But it's a lot of talking and not as much action as I thought, but it's Nolan so all the action is awesome so I was very happy with that.

Now this next part is a pretty big SPOILER so if you've ignored my warnings and have kept reading please stop now.

At the end of the film it is revealed that Joseph Gordon-Levitts characters christian name is 'Robin' a nod to the fact that he will be taking over Batmans mantle and a reference to an earlier part in the film where Batman says he should wear a mask.

But my God did this piss me off. My girlfriend didn't understand my frustration. Robin is Dick Grayson. Plain and simple. This line was put in for mainstream audiences and this has caused me lose a lot of respect in Nolan. It's a cheap move to make an audience go 'ohhhhhh' but it's a slap in the face to fans. Marvel put an unknown character (to mainstream audiences) at the end of their film and didn't even say his name. And Mr. Integrity Nolan who's all about story and had followed the source material relatively well for a re-imagining should have respected the audience enough to call him Dick Grayson. If a fan didn't know he would have looked it up but I think the majority of people would have made the connection or would know someone who did know.

But I don't want to vent too much on this, I've waited three hours before writing this review to calm down a bit over some of the things that have tarnished an otherwise masterpiece of a film. It's like having a hair in an awesome bowl of soup. It's annoying to say the least.

Good film but I'm actually surprised that it's reviews have been as positive as they are and I would expect a lower Rotten Tomatoes score by the time the films finished it's run (if it can change, I'm not sure how that site works).

So yeah I'm ending my review and giving the film a 7 1/2 out of 10.

I might receive some death threats over this but guys and gals just to let you know I prefer rape threats...I could use some action ;)

Don't hate on me til you've actually seen the film. And if you wanna do horrible things to me after you've seen the film then do it. I understand, you're just raging because you were let down because of unrealistic expectations.

Cheers,

Benjamin Boekelaar

Just to reiterate my point if it didn't come across:

This is my opinion in the film and it is on the whole a positive view point. All the bad things I point out are the only bad things with the film and there's on a few examples. The film just isn't perfect but that's fine because it's a wonderful conclusion to one of the best film trilogies of all time.

ALIENS Star Michael Biehn Reveals That He Was Almost Cast As Tim Burton's BATMAN
Related:

ALIENS Star Michael Biehn Reveals That He Was Almost Cast As Tim Burton's BATMAN

CLAYFACE Movie From Writer Mike Flanagan Rumored To Be Moving Forward At DC Studios
Recommended For You:

CLAYFACE Movie From Writer Mike Flanagan Rumored To Be Moving Forward At DC Studios

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

hoodedjester
hoodedjester - 7/19/2012, 7:32 AM
good review mate.
BigHec
BigHec - 7/19/2012, 7:36 AM
good review..you shouldnt have to reiterate your opinion, its yours...Too Many people feel the need to attack someone if they dont drink from the same kool aid ( Nolan fans and Avenger fans)..
As far as the "Robin" name drop...that is pretty corny...it would have been better if his name was Grayson or Drake.
I Still think its gonna be a great movie...even if Bane is 5'10 ( Look it up ) only sad part is I have heard alot of people say it was a let down with the ending..
Jaywing
Jaywing - 7/19/2012, 8:07 AM
Hey good review man! I am a HUGE fan of nolan's movies... For me (My opinion) they glue me to the screen... from Memento (my favorite of his) to Inception. But I totally get what you are saying about him needing to trim the fat for the general public. I personally love long movies and don't mind the extra scenes of dialogue (the more Batman movie I get to see the better) but I think this may ultimately hurt people going back for multiple viewings of this movie.

On the other topic... Dick Grayson is my favorite comic book character... His story is so rich and has so many layers to it. From his early circus days... to his Bludhaven days... I was frustrated Nolan said he'd never have Robin in his movies... So to be honest, I am happy he is at least referenced even if it has nothing to do with Grayson. Like you pointed out I think the mass majority of people seeing the film will like that too because they don't know much about the character. I'm surprised I'm not more bugged about it then I am because I love the character so much.... But I liked the little easter egg.

All in all great review man!
GoILL
GoILL - 7/19/2012, 12:57 PM
Good review man don't worry about people giving you shit about your opinion if anyone comes here with any of that nonsense.
Boekelaar
Boekelaar - 7/19/2012, 4:11 PM
@hoodedjester Cheers mate

@BigHec thanks, and I thought Bane looked pretty big in the film despite how tall he in in real life. Maybe it was just his massive size lol the dude's huge.

@Jaywing yeah I think we're on the same wave length. I'm a Nolan film and his other efforts are beautiful pieces of cinema. And yeah I guess at least there was a Robin reference.

@worldbreaker thanks heaps, I tried to see the movie from the point of view of a CBM and movie fan. Not a Marvelite or Nolanite so I'm glad that came through.

@GoILL I shouldn't have to worry about it but people went rabbid on Rotten Tomatoes and no one wants to read that kind of crap being said about them. Even if it is just from keyboard warriors hiding behind the internet.
WruceBayne
WruceBayne - 7/19/2012, 5:17 PM
Good review. It's good that you didn't outright bash the whole movie or make it so unbelievable epic that no movie in history can touch it.
iMVuze
iMVuze - 7/19/2012, 5:22 PM
NOPE I WON'T TAKE THIS SHIT. EVERYTHING OUT OF NOLAN IS ART AND YOU MY FRIEND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT ART REALLY IS. SHITTY REVIEW AND A SHITTY REVIEWER. BY GOD I HOPE YOU PUT OUT YOUR ADDRESS BECAUSE I WILL SIT OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE LIKE BATMAN AND I WILL BREAK YOUR BACK LIKE BANE YOU COCKROACH THEN BEFORE I GO I WILL WHISPER IT WASN'T THE BEATING YOU DESERVED BUT THE BEATING YOU NEEDED. I HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET BUT I CAN ALREADY TELL THE AMOUNT OF OSCAR NOMINATIONS IT WILL RECEIVE AND HOW MANY RECORDS IT WILL BREAK. lol jk. Good review big guy.
Boekelaar
Boekelaar - 7/19/2012, 6:58 PM
@WruceBayne my article was as balanced as I'd hoped it would be then :) cheers

@iMVuze hahaha you did have me going for the first little bit. thanks man :D
DraculaX
DraculaX - 7/19/2012, 7:37 PM
Good review, I honestly think the whole Robin thing was just a nod to the character, I think everyone knows who Robin/Dick Grayson is. I agree that his name should had been Richard, hell even Tim Drake.

I wonder if this is a sign that JGL will be the next Batman in the reboot.
Boekelaar
Boekelaar - 7/19/2012, 8:19 PM
@DragonofDarknessXIII at least a nod's something I guess. Maybe a future Batman film will be more like a detective story or something being that he's a former cop. Who knows, I wonder what JGL's contract says. He could be signed on for multiple films.
View Recorder